Echinacea 'Coral Craze'

Echinacea 'Coral Craze': Coral Saucers Blushing Toward Lavender

Huge coral-pink flowers on nearly black stems, fading to lavender like a sunset that refuses to end. 'Coral Craze' has the energy of somebody who just discovered a new hobby and WILL NOT STOP TALKING ABOUT IT.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Echinacea hybrid
• Common Name: Coneflower
• Series: EYE-CATCHER® Collection from Walters Gardens
• Height: 65–70 cm (26–28 in)
• Spread: 65–70 cm (26–28 in)
• Flowers: Large single blooms up to 13 cm (5 in) wide, coral-pink fading to lavender-pink, around a raised cone. Fragrant.
• Bloom Time: Midsummer into early fall (July to September)
• Foliage: Green leaves on dark, nearly black stems
• Features: Good cut and dried flower, seed heads for winter interest

Where to Plant: As the tallest of its collection, it belongs in the middle of a sunny border or as a strong clump in a pollinator garden, and it also suits large containers and mass plantings. Once established it rides out dry summer stretches, so it is a fair pick for hot, sunny spots near driveways and walls.

Companion Plants: Give 'Coral Craze' a sunny, dry bed with purple in spring and red in summer. Aubrieta 'Rock On Purple' carpets the front at 10 to 15 cm with purple flowers from April to June. Dianthus Rockin'™ Red adds vivid red, fringed flowers at 45 to 60 cm from June to September. Baptisia 'Grape Escape' brings dusky purple spikes at 105 to 120 cm in May and June. Festuca mairei adds a dense, arching clump of grey-green blades at 60 to 90 cm in flower.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun, or part sun with at least four hours of direct light, in average, well-drained soil. Clay soil works if water doesn't pool around the crown over winter. Water regularly the first season, then mainly during droughts. Deadhead to keep it blooming, then leave the last flowers to ripen into seed heads for birds and winter interest. Cut stems back in early spring. Divide in spring every few years if the clump gets crowded.

History: 'Coral Craze' came out of the coneflower breeding program at Walters Gardens in Zeeland, Michigan. Its wild relatives are native to the prairies and open woodlands of central and eastern North America.

Final Thoughts: Leave the seed heads for winter and the songbirds will host the after party. A CRAZE THAT ACTUALLY LASTS.